My Favorite Healthy Food Money Savers

With the holiday season approaching (watch out, it's arriving soon!), we're all trying...

…to cut corners and save pennies wherever we can. The way we eat is no exception: many of us feel like we have to choose between buying nice gifts and buying healthy groceries, but it doesn’t have to be that way! Here are a few tips to help you stay healthy and satisfied while shopping, cooking, and eating on a budget.

Savvy Shopping:

Going to the grocery store can be overwhelming. There are always new products with confusing labels and misleading health claims. But you don’t have to feel plagued by the task of shopping on a budget if you…

Buy generic brands because they are 15-20% cheaper and usually contain the same ingredients and nutrients as name brand products.

Use coupons, weekly stores ads, and loyalty cards to get the best deals! Don’t have coupons? Visit your groceries store’s website to print some out. Many also have online meal-planning tools to help you plan your meals based on what products are on sale.

Buy in bulk for the items you use often. This even works for some perishable items (ex: bread, bagels, pitas, fruit, & vegetables) because you can extend certain foods’ shelf lives by storing them in the freezer. On the other hand, if it is something that you do not use often, don’t buy it in bulk no matter how tempting the deal might be-if you end up having to toss it, you’re not saving anything.

Here’s my “Power 2’s” list of healthy items that you can find for less than $2.00 at the grocery store…

Canned beans $0.79

Half gallon of skim milk $1.00

Loaf of whole wheat bread $0.78

Package of whole wheat pasta $1.45

Frozen mixed vegetables $1.99

Carton of eggs $1.19

6oz. canned salmon $1.89

Bag of tangerines $1.88

Creative Cheap Cooking:

Use canned or frozen fruits and vegetables instead of fresh produce. They will keep longer and often have the same nutritional value as fresh foods! Just be sure to rinse and drain them to reduce the sodium by 40%.

Incorporating seasonal produce can help you save a little and offer delicious, new flavors and textures. Some fruits and vegetables that are in season this fall include:

Broccoli

Brussels sprouts

Butternut squash

Cauliflower

Cranberries

Pears

Pomegranate

Pumpkin

Sweet potatoes

Turnips

There are no rules in creative cooking! Use foods you already have in your fridge and pantry, and incorporate your favorites into existing recipes. If you like rice instead of pasta, feel free to switch these ingredients. And if you’re not a fan of red meat, try substituting chicken or beans.

Give slow cooking a try. You can make convenient, delicious meals with even the cheapest ingredients! You can make everything from fresh breads and classic casseroles to warm soups and hearty meats. Bonus: Try these healthy slow cooker recipes.